Chingón

Features

late night dining

good date place

notable gluten-free options

Mexican

Although Melbourne has a number of different Mexican eateries for the discerning consumer to choose between, none embody the authenticity and simplicity of good Mexican street food in quite the same way as Chingón in Richmond.

It offers a simple menu with a choice of six tacos, corn chips with fire-roasted salsa or guacamole. The eatery’s homage to traditional cooking styles and northern Mexican furnishings gives it an interesting feel and clearly sets it apart from its competition.

The brainchild of two brothers from New Mexico, Chingón was inspired by their love for the street food they found on their many late night jaunts across the border. A rooftop balcony, chipped paint, a 1960s Lincoln parked out the back, and the dark no-frills Mexican interiors gives this eatery a unique feel. Better still, all the renovations were done by the brothers themselves – and there are no hyper-colour Day of the Dead skulls in sight.

They make 100 per cent corn, soft-shell tortillas onsite daily, which form the base of six taco options – vegetarian, smoky pork with pineapple, steak, prawns, fish and chicken with guacamole. Each table receives a bottle of authentic hot sauce for seasoning, the perfect condiment for these tasty tacos. Chingón's strongly stylised menu is somewhat limited, but this is part of the charm.

You can sit out back, or for that truly authentic feel, hire the Chingón food van to come and park on your street.